Cubs manager Mike Quade insists that Carlos Silva hasn't pitched himself out of the starting rotation yet.

"I never count anybody out," said Quade. "I'm anxious to see him pitch (Wednesday). Still some tough decisions. Productive discussions today. Nothing definitive. I have a lot to sleep on, or not sleep on tonight, regarding the pitching and other areas, too." It might be his last chance. Silva has been absolutely awful this spring, posting a 15.88 ERA on 29 hits over just 11 1/3 innings. Randy Wells is unofficially the fourth starter, and while Andrew Cashner is the likely front-runner for the fifth spot, he hasn't tossed five innings in a start yet. Stay tuned.

Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that Carlos Silva is "far behind" Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner in his bid to win one of the final two spots in the Cubs rotation.

As he should be. Silva has been simply atrocious this spring, posting a 15.88 ERA and allowing 29 hits over 11 1/3 spring innings. Wells pretty much had a spot sewn up before camp started, but he's solidified one with arguably the best spring of any Cubs pitcher. Cashner hasn't pitched terribly well himself, but he's looked like an ace next to Silva, and the upside is obviously higher. It's possible the Cubs could end up scratching Silva from his next scheduled start on Wednesday.

Carlos Silva turned in a disastrous outing against the Angels on Monday, getting ripped for 10 hits and eight runs in just 2 1/3 innings.

Wow. Not the way Silva wanted to follow up his awful outing and subsequent dugout scuffle from last week. In 3 1/3 innings this spring, he's now allowed 14 runs (11 earned) and 14 baserunners. He said last week's fight stemmed from his insecurity about earning a spot in the rotation. It appears that fear was justified.

Carlos Silva has yet to clear the air with Aramis Ramirez following the pair's Wednesday afternoon dugout skirmish.

Silva said the incident was influenced by his insecurity about making the Cubs roster this spring. If he's so worried, he certainly didn't do himself any favors by taking on one of the club's most important players in public view. That being said, barring a total meltdown this spring, Silva's rotation spot is safe.

Cubs manager Mike Quade said Wednesday that Carlos Silva will face no punishment for his dugout altercation.

Silva apparently got into an argument with Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez during Wednesday's spring game against the Brewers. The right-hander would not talk to reporters after he was pulled from the game, but it sounds like everything is going to blow over. "Boys will be boys," Quade told a group of reporters.

The altercation Wednesday in the Cubs' dugout was an argument between Carlos Silva and Aramis Ramirez.

Silva left the Cubs' clubhouse in a golf cart soon after he was pulled from the game and refused to discuss the matter with the media. Ramirez called it a "misunderstanding" and said that he's never been a "trouble-maker." Though it's concerning to see players get into scuffles this early in the spring, it sounds like something that should blow over quite easily.

Carlos Silva was removed from Wednesday's start against the Brewers after giving up six runs -- three earned -- over just one inning.

The performance was bad enough -- he served up two homers in his lone inning of work -- but the Cubs apparently had some sort of scuffle in the dugout after the inning. It's not exactly clear what happened, but Silva could be seen jawing with someone while leaving the field with the team's strength coach. After the drama with Carlos Zambrano last season, this is just about the last thing the Cubs need.

Carlos Silva believes that he has already locked up a spot in the Cubs' rotation.

"For me, there's only one spot open," said Silva. "I am one of the starters, you know what I mean? Whatever they think, they think that, not me." It's nice to hear that the right-hander is confident in his ability to shine this spring and lock up a rotation spot, but he still has to beat out the likes of Randy Wells, Jeff Samardzija, Casey Coleman, Andrew Cashner, James Russell and Braden Looper. Silva finished 10-6 last season with a 4.22 ERA.

Carlos Silva (fever) was able to throw a side session Tuesday.

Silva was sent home from Cubs camp on Monday morning because he registered a 103 degree fever. But it's past him now and he will continue to fight for one of the last few spots in the Chicago starting rotation.

Carlos Silva left the Cubs' opening workout on Monday due to a 103 degree fever.

There's nothing to be gained from pushing anyone too soon, so Silva will get all the time he needs to recuperate. The veteran right-hander is set to compete with Randy Wells, Jeff Samardzija, Casey Coleman, Andrew Cashner, James Russell and Braden Looper for one of the final two spots in the starting rotation.

Carlos Silva thinks he has a spot in the Cubs rotation locked up.

"I'm not a kid," Silva said. "I'm not a rookie anymore. I know how everything works. But I showed this team what I can do last year. Everyone is saying they're looking for a fourth and fifth starter. I think that's ridiculous. If I'm not going to be in the rotation (at the start of spring), I'm going to win my spot." We'd tend to agree that he'll end up with a spot, as he pitched surprisingly well last year before heart and elbow issues, which Silva said are in the past. Tom Gorzelanny, Andrew Cashner, Randy Wells, Casey Coleman, Jeff Samardzija and James Russell will also be vying for spots.

Cubs interim manager Mike Quade isn't optimistic that Carlos Silva (elbow) will be able to make another start this season.

Silva hasn't suffered any setbacks, however he is running out of time to get back on the mound. "He's been around long enough and he's smart enough to know what you want and what you're capable of are two different things," Quade said. "In the next six, seven days of work, it'll tell him what he's capable of doing. If he's healthy, I'm sure he'd like to pitch. It's not time for me to get involved until we see a healthy side and maybe a simulated game." Silva hasn't pitched since September 7 due to a right shoulder strain.

The Cubs haven't shut Carlos Silva (elbow) down for the rest of the season.

Silva re-joined the team Tuesday in St. Louis and will continue to receive treatment for tendinitis in his right elbow. He's scheduled to be reevaluated in one week. There's still a chance Silva could return this season, but fantasy owners shouldn't count on him.

Carlos Silva will miss his next scheduled start with a strained right elbow.

Jeff Samardzija will start on Monday against the Cardinals. Silva was roughed up in his return from the disabled list for six runs over five innings in a loss to the Astros on Tuesday. Perhaps he came back too soon. He doesn't figure to have much fantasy value until the end of the season. We'd also avoid Samardzija.

Cubs activated RHP Carlos Silva from the 15-day disabled list.

As expected, Silva was activated to make the start against the Astros on Tuesday night. He has been sidelined since the early part of August in order to undergo a minor heart procedure, but has bounced back rather quickly from there. He returns to a 10-5 record to go along with a 3.92 ERA over 20 starts this season.

Carlos Silva (heart) will be on a pitch count in his return to the rotation Tuesday.

It's not known what exactly the pitch count will be, but he threw 78 pitches in his last rehab outing at Single-A Peoria, so that should give you a barometer of what to expect. Silva will be making his first start for the Cubs since August 1.

Carlos Silva (heart) will return to the Cubs rotation on Tuesday in a start versus the Astros.

It had been expected that he would start Monday, but Casey Coleman will be moved up a day to start then instead. The important thing here is that it's now confirmed that will rejoin the rotation to make his first start for the big club since undergoing a minor heart procedure in early August.

Carlos Silva (heart) is expected to start Monday in place of the injured Tom Gorzelanny.

Ideally, the Cubs would like to give Silva, who gave up five runs in six innings in his rehab start in Low-A ball Wednesday, at least one more rehab outing, but their hands are tied with Gorzelanny out. He could be in the rotation for a while, depending on how fast Gorzelanny recovers and whether Casey Coleman remains in the rotation.

The Cubs are weighing whether to start Carlos Silva (heart) on Monday with Tom Gorzelanny hurt.

Silva gave up five runs in six innings in his rehab start in low-A ball on Wednesday, so it'd probably be for the best if he remained in the minors for now. And that was the plan before Gorzelanny got hurt.

Carlos Silva (heart) allowed five runs on six hits Wednesday in his second rehab start at Single-A Peoria.

Silva, expected to throw 70 pitches, threw only 50. He's been making swift progress in his recovery from a minor heart procedure, but the results weren't great Wednesday and he might have trouble returning by the end of the season. He's likely to make his next start again at Single-A Peoria.